Drunk driving is a serious offense that can have severe consequences. In Wisconsin, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a criminal offense, and in most cases, repeat offenses are treated more severely than first-time offenses. If you have been charged with operating while intoxicated (OWI) in Wisconsin for the second time, it is crucial to understand the potential consequences, and you can defend against a conviction by seeking legal representation as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can advise you of your options for defense and help you determine the best ways to avoid a second conviction for intoxicated driving.

Prior Convictions

One major factor that determines whether a second OWI offense is more serious than a first-time offense is when a prior conviction occurred. In Wisconsin, there is a lookback period of 10 years for determining prior convictions. This means that any previous OWI conviction within the past 10 years will be taken into account when determining the penalties for a subsequent offense.